Regional Growing Guide: Coastal and Tropical South
Hot, hazy and humid describes much of the year in this region, where roses commence their first peak of bloom by Mother's Day, then continue budding out and blooming through December. While most of the rain comes during winter and early spring, fierce afternoon thunderstorms, nor-easters and even hurricanes may blow through during summer months. The soil may be acidic or sandy: amending with lime helps balance the pH, while compost provides nutrients and improves drainage. The best roses are heat tolerant and resist black spot: new roses often offer improved repeat blooming as well.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Cut Rose Branches Anytime
It's always fine to cut out completely any rose branch that doesn't leaf out, dies for no apparent reason during the season, or grows askance and cannot be trained. Cut these branches or stems all the way back to their source, whether that is a main trunk or the ground.
Look for Evidence of Attack
When rose leaves are chewed, leaving ragged edges or worse, a few observations will easily tell you what pest you're dealing with if none are present. Look early in the morning before the sun gets on the leaves for slime trails from snails, late afternoon for tiny pellets from caterpillars.
Fertilize When You See Yellow Leaves
If the rose leaves near the bottom of the plant turn yellow but look otherwise healthy, then drop off, add a ring of compost around the plant to supply nitrogen. Since an abundance of nitrogen works against flowering, don't overdo it. A half dose of fish emulsion works well, too.
Cut Back Diseased Branches
The black spots you see on rose leaves (which often turn yellow, too) are just that: black spot fungus. And this disease is the reason not every rose can grow in our region without regular fungicide applications. But don't give up. Cut back the affected parts and fertilize at half rate.
Mulch Roses
Mulch not only helps to control weeds under the roses, but it has two other major functions: to keep the soil cool and to retain the precious moisture you\'ve supplied. If oak leaves are in abundance, use them. Or use barks (shredded or ground) or pinestraw. But no more than two inches, please!